Firefighters from around Pa. parade in West Chester

Photos by Tom Kelly IV
First West Chester Fire Company members march in the 2013 Pennsylvania Firemen's Parade which was held in downtown West Chester this year, Saturday September 28, 2013.

WEST CHESTER — Firefighters from around Pennsylvania marched through borough streets for hours Saturday as part of the 134th Firemen’s Association convention.

More than 300 fire companies from around the commonwealth were represented in the day’s activities, the first time the borough or any municipality in Chester County has hosted the event.

Sean McCausland, a Fame Fire Company of West Chester volunteer, said it was “neat” to carry his company’s flag during the parade. He said firefighters learn about their company’s history over time. He’s been a volunteer for 14 years.

McCausland said he learned about the history of Fame Fire Company as he put together a program book filled with the company’s history. He researched the company for six months.

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Fame Fire Company, one of the three companies in the West Chester Fire Department, hosted the four-day celebration at their Rosedale Avenue firehouse.

McCausland said the company kept that same type of personality throughout its history and its generations of firefighters. The company celebrated its 175th anniversary this year.

“It’s a special group of people we have here,” said Kevin Corcoran, a captain with Fame Fire Company.

“Once you’re an active member of Fame, it’s not the same anywhere else,” said Corcoran, a member since 1977.

Jeff Stevens, a volunteer at Alert Fire Company of Downingtown for 35 years, said firefighting can be among generations and among friends who join together. He was at the parade with his father and son. His grandfather previously served.

Alert and Minquas Fire Companies marched together in representation of the Downingtown Fire Department.

“We’re hanging out with our second family,” Stevens said.

After members of the Downingtown Fire Department marched in the parade, they sat on a hill to watch the remaining companies. Members of each fire department watched as spectators after their participation in the parade.

“It’s very rewarding to go through a parade like this with fire companies from all over Pennsylvania,” Stevens said.

Members from the fire companies said they prepare their fire trucks by polishing and painting the trucks for the parade and judging at the conclusion. The clean-up starts about a month before the parade.

Phil Koller, a Wissahickon volunteer firefighter said, “You have to have a lot of pride to prepare for a parade like this.”

He said a parade with volunteer firefighters “gives you the pride that people are still willing to dedicate their time to protect the community.”

Bill Cummings, a lieutenant with Fame Fire Company, said the parade was a humbling and proud experience with the cheering of the crowd.

Spectator Robin Rickert of West Goshen said she enjoyed seeing the old-fashioned fire trucks that were in the parade. “These people have a lot of heritage,” she said.

Chris Ashton, of Plymouth in Montgomery County, said she came to the parade to see her family-orientated fire company. She said she and her family members have served with Plymouth Fire Company.

Ashton said the parade was an emotional experience, as she watched four family members march with various companies.

Ashton said firefighting is a family matter to her and it’s about the “brotherhood that we have with everyone.”

At the conclusion of the parade, some spectators stopped to pet Halligan, a dalmatian with Wissahickon Fire Company of Ambler. The 7-year-old pooch helps teach children about fire safety, including how to stop, drop and roll, explained Debbie Buckley, Halligan’s owner.

Buckley said the firefighters bond because of their spirit of volunteerism, and they taking pride in their work to save lives while at times risking their own.

Parades such as the one in West Chester allow everyone to have fun, she said.